The fall of the Sima Clan sent a wave of fear across Henan. A powerful and ancient clan—reduced to rubble overnight by the unorthodox Hundred Weapon Sect. People whispered of war, of darkness returning to the martial world. And all eyes turned toward the Murim Alliance, waiting for a response.
Inside the Murim Alliance headquarters, in the grand Leader's Chamber, three legendary figures sat around a stone table.
Zhen Qingsui, the Taiji Sword Saintess and current Leader of the Murim Alliance, held a crumpled letter in her trembling hand. Beside her was Jegal Xuanyin, the famed Shadow Strategist. Across from them sat Namgong Chunying, the cold and beautiful Sword Empress.
Zhen Qingsui's voice cut through the air, sharp as a blade.
"How can the Hundred Weapon Sect justify their actions against the Sima Clan? There are so many loopholes in their story. Tie Ruomei treats this alliance like a joke!"
She rose from her seat, the fury in her qi palpable.
"We must reply with strength. I'll dispatch the Dragon Unit to crush the Hundred Weapon Sect forces before their influence spreads."
Jegal Xuanyin lifted a hand calmly.
"Please wait, Leader. They've provided a valid contract. According to it, the Sima Clan attacked first."
Zhen's eyes narrowed. "They were eliminating evil. They did what was right."
"Yes," Xuanyin said. "But to the outside world, it looks like an unprovoked attack. If we retaliate, the entire unorthodox martial world will see us as tyrants. A war will erupt."
Zhen Qingsui turned to her strategist. "Then what should we do, Xuanyin? Sit by and do nothing while one of our righteous clans is slaughtered? If we don't do anything it will create heavy blow on Murim alliance image"
Before Xuanyin could respond, Namgong Chunying spoke.
"The answer lies in Tie Ruomei's letter."
Zhen raised an eyebrow. "Explain."
"Tie Ruomei claims she only acted out of revenge and took no spoils. That means all of the Sima Clan's assets—mines, businesses, land—are now ownerless."
Chunying's voice remained cold and confident.
"We issue a public mourning then we announce that even its sima clan who strike first but what sima clan do was rightious as they eliminate evil so murim will stop any influence of Unorthodox sects in henan. We acknowledge the Sima Clan's fall with sadness. Then, we declare that the Murim Alliance will honor their legacy by founding a new branch in Henan. We'll reclaim the clan's territory to 'preserve order.'"
Xuanyin nodded. "Our Henan branch is outdated and underfunded. This gives us a reason—and resources—to rebuild it."
Zhen's eyes wavered. "But we'll be declaring the Sima Clan's fall as their own fault.I personally know the Supreme Elder of sima clan… she was righteous. She has big contributions in Great Devil war. This is wrong"
Chunying's gaze remained steel.
"So you want war over one fallen clan? Would the old leaders have done that? Sacrifice is the price of peace."
Zhen Qingsui sat down slowly. Her anger gave way to bitter acceptance.
"So be it… Let the Murim Alliance announce its mourning and take control of Henan."
The meeting ended.
As Namgong Chunying walked through the hallways, a woman cloaked in black approached from the shadows.
"Did you find the Dark Empress Sword in the ruins?" Chunying asked without looking.
The woman shook her head. "No. It was likely taken by the Hundred Weapon Sect."
"Then let them have it," Chunying muttered. "It's useless to me now."
Far outside the burning ruins of Henan, deep in a forest clearing, three survivors of the Sima Clan sat around a flickering campfire.
Rin, Lianzhen, and Qianlin—the last blood of their ancient clan—sat in silence. The weight of loss hung heavily in the air.
Rin sat with his head down, lost in memory. His grandfather's death played over and over in his mind like a nightmare he couldn't wake from.
Lianzhen finally spoke.
"What about Mother and Father… Did they escape?"
Qianlin didn't speak at first. Then her voice cracked.
"They're gone."
The fire popped. The silence returned—heavier than before.
Suddenly, Qianlin stood.
"We don't have time. We need to move. We have a duty now—revange for our clan."
She pulled out a weathered scroll.
"Grandmother gave me this map. She said the place marked here… is our last hope for revival."
But Rin stood too, eyes hard.
"I'm not going with you. I'm going to the Moon Palace. That's what Grandpa told me."
Qianlin's brow furrowed.
"This isn't a picnic, Rin! This map, this place—Grandmother believed in it."
"And I believe in Grandpa," Rin snapped. "In his final breath, he told me to go to the Moon Palace. That's what I'll do!"
Qianlin's voice sharpened.
"You don't even know where is moon palace! Most people say it's just a myth. Even if it's real, it's surrounded by deadly traps. No outsider has ever entered!"
"Then I'll be the first!" Rin shouted. "I'll find it—even if I die trying!"
"You stubborn—"
"Enough," Lianzhen cut in, stepping between them. "Rin and I will go to Moon Palace."
Qianlin stared at him. "You too?"
"You know no one can stop Rin when it involves Grandpa," he said softly. "And… I trust there's a reason Grandpa gave him that path. It's his destiny."
He turned to her, serious.
"Grandmother entrusted you with the clan's rebirth. That's your mission. This is ours."
Qianlin's lips trembled. "But… I don't want to lose either of you."
"Then live," Lianzhen said. "Survive. So we can reunite… and take our revenge together."
She stepped forward and embraced them both. Her arms trembled.
"Take care," she whispered, handing Lianzhen a pouch of money and a second map.
"You too," Rin said, voice soft.
And with that, the three siblings—once heirs of the Sima Clan—walked separate paths.
One toward a legendary hidden palace said to be unreachable.
The other toward a forgotten place… holding the final light of their family's legacy.